Chris Klieman anticipating a monster season from Austin Romaine
Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine (45) in pursuit of tackling Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon (0) Saturday September 28, 2024 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
MANHATTAN, Kan. — After leading the Wildcats in tackles last year, the linebacker is receiving a ton of praise approaching the 2025 season, and his head coach feels he deserves all of the recognition.
From North Dakota State to Kansas State, Coach Chris Klieman continues to field elite linebackers, and believes Austin Romaine could potentially be his best yet. After all, Romaine checks all of the boxes for the defense with the way he brings the intensity, and how his teammates respond. He’s an enforcer, who can fly from sideline to sideline, prides himself on physicality, and always sets the tone.
Romaine’s 96 tackles in 2024 were the most in a single-season by a Kansas State defender since 2017. He even capped off the year with second-team, All-Big 12 honors. Now he’s riding that wave of momentum into fall camp, and Klieman is enjoying watching Romaine spread his wings as a defender.
“I think he’s one of the best linebackers we’ve had to play in this system, whether it’s been here or at other jobs that I’ve had,” Klieman said. “This kid is a great leader, great tackler, he’s got a great base to him, and he’s very athletic.”
The Missouri native also takes care of business in the classroom, considering Romaine is an Academic All-Big 12 performer. Not to mention he was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 team. Klieman was encouraged by Romaine’s breakout season, and can’t wait to see what he can accomplish this fall.
The former three-star prospect is the veteran of the linebacker room now, and has come a long way over his first two years in Manhattan. Having the luxury of playing alongside some productive defenders, and starting 12 games last season, means Klieman is confident Romaine is evolving.
“Being able to learn from Daniel Green, Austin Moore, Dez Purnell, he’s taking his game to another level,” the 57-year old coach said. “Now he’s into his third year, and he’s a true junior.”
The 20-year old is shaping up to be a team captain with the way fall camp is playing out ahead of the opener against Iowa State in Ireland. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with being the heart and soul of the defense. Romaine is guiding the younger linebackers, holding himself accountable and leading by example, which Klieman admires. There’s no denying that his production speaks volumes too, and that’s something the youngsters can’t ignore.
Romaine tallied eight stops, and two sacks in the victory at Tulane. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder posted 12 tackles apiece in conference road games at West Virginia, Houston and Iowa State. Romaine also forced a fumble on Kansas’ quarterback Jalon Daniels late in the fourth quarter, that eventually gave Kansas State the win. Which is why Klieman trusts that Romaine is ready to step into the role as the quarterback of the defense, and he’s just cracking the surface.
Everything appears to be trending up with Romaine’s work ethic, leadership and knowledge of the system, so the best is yet to come in Klieman’s mind.
“I’m excited, I think he’s going to have an All-American-type of season.”
